New I-95 ramp in DC??

[Uncleromulus]

Read on a previous post that a new ramp has been opened to help with the awful traffic. Wondered, if true, has anyone actually used it?? And has it helped any?
Or has it made things even worse???

 

[ValerieK]

I do know that they do have a new ramp. I think it connects 495/95S to 95S. I live to the west and never go through that intersection so I don't know that much about it. From what I have heard, it should do a lot to make things a little easier getting through there.

 

[DCSingle]

I live in DC. Previous poster is correct that the new ramp connects the east side of the DC beltway (I-495) with I-95 South. If that's the way you're travelling, you should definitely notice improvement over your last trip. Having said that, it's always best to avoid the DC area during rush hour if at all possible (7-9AM and 4-7PM). You'll be glad you did!

 

[StephMK]

I passed it last Friday at 2:45 pm & there was a slight back up on the ramp. Couldn't see if it extended to 95S but I wouldn't want to be sitting on the ramp. If you don't like heights - it is HIGH!

 

[Uncleromulus]

DCsingle:
If I'm coming around 495 over the Wilson Bridge, can I access that ramp??

 

[Pugsley]

Uncleromulus, I can answer that. Yes, after you cross the Wilson Bridge from Maryland into Virginia you'll see the new exit on the left. We call it the "flyover". Looks like it has improved traffic quite a bit.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Good news indeed!!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I was on that flyover during Memorial Day Weekend on the way down to Va., and I can tell you that traffic was backed up on the ramp due to the fact that once you got off the ramp, there was only ONE lane for all the cars coming off. That kind of defeated the purpose of the flyover to me. Apparently, the expansion of the road (I-95) had not been completed (perhaps that's changed now?).

 

[Patty3]

Been living out that way since 1982, there really has not been any significant improvement, sorry to say.

 

[dcfromva]

and I can tell you that traffic was backed up on the ramp due to the fact that once you got off the ramp, there was only ONE lane for all the cars coming off. That kind of defeated the purpose of the flyover to me. Apparently, the expansion of the road (I-95) had not been completed (perhaps that's changed now?).

DeeCeeSW,
The project is supposed to be complete in 2007.

Here is a link to the website for the Springfield Interchange

-DC

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--take back that previous "Good news Indeed".
Still sounds like the old "merge into one lane" routine that I-95 in DC is famous for...

I just spoke to a friend of mine who lives in Springfield, right off the Backlick Rd. He said that traffic is just as bad as it always has been and they don't to expect any improvements until 2007--or whenever they FINALLY finish construction. His opinion is that it will be a miracle if it's done by 2010--.

 

[Christine]

I want to say here that I commute through the Springfield Interchange EVERYDAY... . That ramp has helped but it is not perfect. It used to be that both sides of the beltway (east and west) would dump down into two lanes of traffic (a ramp) to get to 95 South. This new flyover ramp has alleviated that. One side of the beltway still goes the old way (which was horrendously backed up) and dumps down into the mixing bowl. The other side (coming from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge) can get onto the flyover by a left side exit. This ramp starts with one lane, opens up two a 2-lane ramp and then as you descend onto 95 south, the ramp goes back down to one lane. The back up actually occurs on the ramp and not on 95 South. You then get your very own lane onto 95 South, albeit the left lane--but you don't have to tangle with merging at all if you don't want to. The people on 95 South have to merge with YOU if they want to get into the far left lane. So far it has made an improvement on rush hour commutes through the mixing bowl.

Now, I will tell you a little secret. If you are heading down 95S on your way to Disney and you see that the new left hand flyover exit is backed up, go on the old ramp. You can still use that ramp and it is much less traveled now. Just note that when you exit onto 95 using the old ramp you will have to move over 2-3 lanes so that you can get on the through lanes. If not, you will end up in Springfield, VA.

 

[dcfromva]

Christine,
Howdy neighbor! That is a good explanation of "the Springfield Mixing Bowl" thing.
I try to avoid that interchange because it always seems like everyone needs to switch places with one another (within a 2 mile stretch). Not only the folks going southbound from the beltway, but the folks wanting to exit at the Springfield exit. (This latest change should make it a little less of a challenge and a little bit safer.)

-DC

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by dcfromva
Christine,
Howdy neighbor! That is a good explanation of "the Springfield Mixing Bowl" thing.
I try to avoid that interchange because it always seems like everyone needs to switch places with one another (within a 2 mile stretch). Not only the folks going southbound from the beltway, but the folks wanting to exit at the Springfield exit. (This latest change should make it a little less of a challenge and a little bit safer.)

-DC

dc,
It's is definitely safer! Sometimes I am on 395 traveling south and I want to go to the Trader Joe's in Springfield. My goodness, getting over to the far right lane is a death-defying act! I don't know how often you go through the interchange but all of that switching has just about stopped. It is pretty smooth going through there now (except for the idiots coming from DC in the far left lane who decide to exit at Springfield at the last minute--you KNOW who you are).